St. Paul daily globe., 1887-07-08
A NICKEL A LOOK.
An Admission Fee Charged Visit
ors by a kentucky Murderer.
Gathering Money to Liquidate His
Own Burial Expenses.

~ OOMo queer Stylus were Witnessed dG
the Louisville (Ky.) Jail the day before
Albert Turner, the col0red murderer.
was hanged. The scene reminded one
of the mob which, following the muir
derer, assembled in the Jail yard for
summary justice, except that the women
i'll the crowd equaled, and perhaps out
numbered, the men. The were col
lected in groups, filling the sidewalk
from Sixth to Seventh, and were densely
packed around the Jail door. Police
and extra turnkeyS were required to
keep the crowd back, and they sue
ceeded in keeping them away from the
door by assuring them that every one
would be admitted at 10 o'clock. When
the clock struck 10 rush was made by
all for the door, making order for few
minutes impossible. The throng, how
ever, was driven back, and the outside
doors closed and locked. Police were
then stationed on the outside and Or
dered to let no more than ten people
stand near the door at once, and to let
women in first. Upon the wall hung
large flag with the word ''WelcOmeD
across it, while just outside the window
Was a large placard, upon which was in
Scribed:
see me, drop i'll nickel to help bury me-
Yours truly,
[Signed.] ALBERT TURNER.
A BUSINESS-LIKE PRISONER.
Inside was Turner in his best attire,
with buSineSS-like smile upon his face
Over the barred window of his cell
hung newspaper with slit
cut in it through which the
prisoner could peep without being
himself visible to the curious
thrOng. Behind this screen Turner
placed himself with stock of nickelS
and dimes in front of him for change
in case any one wishing to contribute
needed piece changed.
Ihe first to enter was party of about
twenty women. As the big door
opened and changed behind them, Tur-
ner peeped through his slit in the pa
per. and then slowly raised his impro-
vlsed curtain, satisfied, complacent
smile gradually settling upon his
repulsive, greasy countenance. He
then began the following address:
Gentlemen and Ladies: need money to
bury myself with, and if anybody wants to
see me they will have to pay for it. My prices
are one look for fifteen seconds for cents,
and everybody i'll the crowd must put up or
they don't get to see me, that's all there is
about it. l know you all want to see me, and
L think the price is dirt cheap l intend to
IL
for ladies or children, butt they want to give
me something and help along poor man
VINO Is going to be hung, I'll take it, That's
and give somebody else chance"
EAGER CROWDS OF VISITORS
The crowd slowly filed out and others
came, all eager and curious for glimpse
at the doomed man. Soon Turner was
doing thriving business, and his man.
ner of conducting it was similar to that
of an auctiOneer.
s.Hold on, dar; you haven't paid"
Five cents or no look" ''Be lively
dar, more wants to see besides yOu;''
and "COme on, you never get another
chance" were some of his expressions
He was busy changing money and
raising and lowering the curtain for an
hour. In the midst of the rush an old,
gray-haired cOlored man limped up to
the window and i'll feeble tones he said:
"Albert l used to knowyou when you
was boy, and Pve come to say good
by, my poor boy; may God have mercy
on you."
As the old man said this tears came to
his eyes, and he leaned on his cane and
wept. Of the whole crowd Turner was
the only one unmOved.
''Well, gOod-by, Uncle Jake; I'm busy
now," was all he said, as he resumed
business.
SORDID TO THE LAST.
The next party was crowd of coun-
try negroes, all of whom knew Turner,
and had come to say goOd-by. Every
one of them shed tears; but Turner
made them pay nickel apiece and dis
missed them with a grunt or an occa-
si0nal $50 long,"
just when business was the liveliest
and the money was rattling in the MUIR
derer's pocket, the crowd on the outside
grew impatient and surged into the
office door, fighting and swearing at
each other. Jailer Bailey, fearing a
riot, summoned the police and had the
crowd dispersed, at the same time an
nouncing that no more visitors would
be admitted. The crowd went away
reluctantly, swearing at the jailer for
putting them out. When the fact was
made known to Turner he showed the
first emotion he has manifested for some
days.